Virginia Governor's Race Highlights a Republican Rift

Contest for Governor Pits Tea-Party Hero, Clinton Friend and Possible Third Player

By

Neil King Jr.

Jan. 6, 2013 7:40 p.m. ET

The Virginia governor's race long has been considered one of the country's marquee political contests of 2013, pitting a national tea-party hero, Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, against a close friend of the Clintons, former Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe.

But the plot has thickened amid a spat among the state's Republicans over the party's tone and direction. Some conservatives fear the fight could wound the...